and I'm about to attempt to make a cake for dessert, which I've only ever done once in my life before. Should probably have started before now, too. It's a chocolate fudge cake from the Ottolenghi cookbook I got for my birthday, so it should be pretty good if I don't fuck it up.

Under stress from every corner and on top of it all I've got a really bad cold. I get then all the time so tend not to care but this one's exceptionally bad, and Ive gotten altogether about 10 hours sleep over the part 4 nights WOE IS ME

at the moment. Think just sofa and music is the order of the day, and trying not to worry too much about work tomorrow when I find out whether I've been successful in applying for my own job due to some restructuring.

waiting on a text to see if I'm going to Belfast, i'll likely not get a reply and i've already done the washing up so I imagine there's sweet fuck all in store for cowcow. Might go for a walk if the weather fairs up.

Ridiculous day yesterday in BAR ALF (a pokey little beer and meat joint in Wodzislaw named after the fictional alien ended up drunk explaning to the owners children why smoking is bad, whilst smoking. Today I've been cleaning the flat which is impossible to do with an exciteable kitten running around like his tail's on fire.

This evening I'm going to the cinema with one of my students to see 'Drive'. Taking another teacher along so nobody thinks it's a date.

Is there any swelling? does it hurt to bend it or can you bend it? Tbh knees are very complicated so it's probably best getting it checked out either way. Could be anything from a bit of a bump to...well, something else.

I'm studying on Orthopaedics rotation atm too, so I technically ought to know something about this. But yeah if you can move it and it's not excruciating to touch, it's *probably* just bruised. Ice and ibuprofen = the way forward. If you're still having loads of problems in a few days take it to your GP though, he'll be able to do a proper exam on it.

had to take out a short temr cash loan. It'll be alright just means next month will be lean. I went thorugh the worrying like hell stage and have just come to accept it. It'll start me in a good habit of not drinking/smoking and making my own lunches, anyway.

was undercooked. Had really nice roast dinner, accompanied by discussions over whether or not Colin Firth is boring, and my friend and her boyfriend having a proper argument about feminism. Then went to see Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, which was hard to follow at times (haven't read the book) but really engrossing and well shot.

Been down on Dale Farm this evening - total chaos. Dozens of media, loads of protestors. Looks a bit like Glasto but with more barbed wire. Really tense atmosphere. Gave me a good buzz. My colleague is camping out there with some other journalists (think I saw George Monbiot pottering around?) - helped him pitch his tent with half bricks to weigh down the guide ropes. Going to be down there fecking early tomorrow to see if the bailiffs do as promised. Look out for me on the telly, I'll give you all a wave.

was beautiful, but now i'm going through a, 'one of my best mates has a house, a good job and a wonderful wife, whilst i work in a shop, live with my parents and have girls sick up on my bed before they can have sex with me' comedown.

nothing like the best day of a friend's life to realise that yours is in the crapper.